Can't Give Money to Charity? Consider Donating Your Hair Instead

Many people would like to donate to charity but think they can't because they aren't financially able. Well, there are many ways to donate that do not require any monetary loss. Donating hair is one of them.

Why is donating hair a great way to help others without monetary loss?

This is a fair question. Lots of children suffer from hair loss due to a variety of different causes. Due to this, they suffer all sorts of mistreatment that other children do not encounter, simply because they are different. By donating hair, you can help to create a custom-fit wig for one of these children and make their life a little better. All it costs is the price of a haircut and sending it, and there are even some places that will cut hair free if it is being donated and even send it for you. I have donated my hair twice, in 2004 and 2006 and I plan to do it again in March 2008.

What are the causes of hair loss in children that would require them to have a wig?

There are many things that can cause childhood hair loss. Some of these include chemotherapy for cancer treatment, lupus, hydrocephalus, trichotillomania, alopecia, burns and several others.

Where can I donate my hair?

If you are interested in donating your hair to charity, there are two well-known charities for doing this, Locks of Love and Wigs4Kids. Both are reputable organizations which accept real hair used to make realistic wigs for children age seventeen and under.

What are the requirements for hair donation?

In general, both organizations have similar rules. Both require at least ten inches, braided or in a ponytail, clean and thoroughly dried. Wigs4Kids does not accept colored hair where Locks of Love does. Neither accepts hair that has been treated with chemicals or bleached. Wigs4Kids does not accept hair that was cut long ago but Locks of Love will take it, provided that it has been stored in a ponytail or braid. Both ask that donated hair be sent in a plastic bag, in the ponytail or braid that was cut off.